This week saw the publication of our Estyn report. I must point out that we don't “do things for Estyn”. Estyn are the education and training inspectorate for Wales. They are funded by and work independently of Welsh Government to inspect education and training in Wales. Their work is directed by a range of legislation and regulation as well as an annual programme of work from Welsh Government.

We do things for our children and for our community. I have always said, inspired by the late, great Tony Wilson, this is Esgob, we do things differently here.

This was my fourth inspection as a head and I am pleased to say that the schools is shown to improve all the time. We share a vision and it shows when people “buy” into the vision it is successful.

The report shows all the things we do , and indeed things we can do better. However, as the reports are much smaller than they used to be , they can not put in all of the good things they have seen. Believe me, there were many in the discussions. I have highlighted in this newsletter some of the best parts - but they have highlighted ALL the things we need to improve. I will take those recommendations all day long.

One thing the inspection team and I agreed on, which is not in the report , is the comment on recent changes we have had to make in our class structure. They made it very clear to me that, in spite of the changes, there has been no drop in the standard of education or provision for the pupils.

I am proud of the way we do things here at Esgob. It works. We do the things for the children and I am delighted our inspectorate saw it too.